English Premiership
Everton thump Southampton
2012-09-29 18:33
Liverpool - Everton striker Nikica Jelavic
scored twice to clinch a 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday and
maintain his side's impressive start to the season.
David Moyes'
team have equalled their best opening to a Premier League season, when
they took 13 from six matches in 2004-05, and the Toffees currently sit
in second place in the table, just three points behind leaders Chelsea.
Manchester
United can overhaul Everton with a win against Tottenham later on
Saturday, but the Merseyside club won't be too concerned about that
following another dominant display at Goodison Park.
Jelavic was
the hero as the Croatian striker scored twice to take his tally to 10 in
his last 11 league matches after Leon Osman had cancelled out Gaston
Ramirez's early opener.
Everton have made notoriously slow starts
to their seasons in the recent past but they have been quickly into
their stride this time and the good run continued against the Saints,
despite the shock of an early goal for the visitors.
From Adam Lallana's corner, Uruguay forward Ramirez was given the freedom of the penalty area to head home in the sixth minute.
It was the Uruguay international's first goal in English football following his club-record 12 million transfer from Bologna.
But
Jay Rodriguez squandered a good chance to increase Southampton's lead
and Everton took full advantage with three goals in 13 minutes.
In
the 25th minute Kevin Mirallas swung over a right-wing cross and
Jelavic diverted it back to Osman, who smashed the loose ball into the
roof of the net from close range.
Seven minutes later Osman's
through-ball sent Jelavic clear and he smashed a powerful strike across
Saints goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and into the net.
Gazzaniga was powerless again when Everton made it three in the 38th minute.
This time Seamus Coleman's cross to the far post found Jelavic and the Croatian's header raced in.
Marouane
Fellaini hit the crossbar with a header before half-time, but Everton
already had enough of a lead to hand Southampton their fifth defeat in
six league matches.